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Silene vulgaris

Silene vulgaris
Bladder Campion, Maiden's Tears, sea campion

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A native, pioneer perennial with suckering roots, found everywhere. This silene produces stems with lanceolate, bluish green, thick leaves. It blooms abundantly between April-May and August-September, depending on the climate. Its characteristic swollen flowers resemble small white bladders with pink-brown veins. This very hardy plant is easy to grow and self-seeds easily in ordinary soil, even very chalky and dry in summer. Ideal in a natural garden!
Flower size
2 cm
Height at maturity
70 cm
Spread at maturity
25 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to September
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Description

Silene vulgaris, called common catchfly or bladder campion, is very common in fallow lands, on the edge of roads and in other disturbed places. It is immediately recognizable when in bloom with numerous small, curiously swollen, white flowers, finely veined with reddish-brown and visited by many butterflies. This catchfly fits well in wild flower gardens, in beds or a large border. This very hardy and perfectly accommodating charming "weed" self-sows spontaneously and adapts to all climates.

Silene vulgaris belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family. It is a wild plant found in the entire Mediterranean basin, especially on limestone soils. The growth of this perennial is quite fast and its mature size will be about 70 cm (28in) high and 25 cm (10in) wide. It develops a woody, slightly suckering crown and roots that penetrate to 1 m (3ft) deep into the soil. Several upright stems emerge from the crown in spring, adorned with ovate to lanceolate, slightly hairy leaves with a slightly rubbery texture and bluish-green colour. The base leaves can reach 12 cm (5in) long. The abundant and prolonged flowering takes place between April-May and August-September, depending on the climate. The inflorescence which develops at the top of the stems is composed of 3 to 20 flowers. Each flower is about 1.5 cm (1in) long and consists of a swollen tube shaped like a bladder that opens into 5 star-shaped lobes. The flowers are white with fine, reddish-pink veins. The fruit is a capsule measuring up to 1.4 cm (1in) long, hidden in the swelling formed by the fused sepals that remain after flowering. The above-ground, deciduous vegetation dries up in autumn.

Silene vulgaris is easy to grow as it has excellent cold resistance and tolerates summer drought, once deeply rooted. There are plenty of choices for associations, in a large country-style bed, a flowery meadow or an English-style mixed border. Its bucolic flowering is perfectly enhanced by the wild charm of grasses, the blue of Perovskias or the red of its American cousin, Silene regia. Asters that bloom in summer will also be very nice companions, as well as echinaceas, thistles or perennial sunflowers, such as Helianthus salicifolius.

For cooking: the flowers and leaves are edible. The leaves have a flavour similar to peas. The young leaves are slightly sweet. They can be used in salads, soups, and gratins. Infusions can also be made with bladder campion.

Silene vulgaris in pictures

Silene vulgaris (Flowering) Flowering

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to September
Flower size 2 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 70 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Silene

Species

vulgaris

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Other common names

Bladder Campion, Maiden's Tears, sea campion

Origin

Western Europe

Product reference20105

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Planting and care

Plant Silene vulgaris in well-prepared and loosened ordinary garden soil. It is undemanding but prefers soils with a tendency towards limestone and clay, deep enough to allow it to root well. Once well established, the plant proves to be resistant to drought. Choose a sunny exposure, or even semi-shaded in the afternoon in the hottest regions. The common catchfly has no specific enemies in our gardens.

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Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Border, Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 3 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil

Care

Pruning instructions Prune dead stems in late winter.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time March
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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